4th Gen Tacoma: Left Brake Light Sticking Out After Bed Stiffener Install - Help!

[vi4thgen]

Hey everyone,

First-time Tacoma owner here, and super excited to finally have my dream truck and start doing some upgrades! I recently installed the Greenlane Offroad Bed Stiffeners (great quality, by the way!) on my 4th Gen Tacoma TRD Sport, and I've run into a snag with the left rear brake light.

As part of the install, you need to remove the taillights by undoing the two 10mm bolts and pulling the light assembly off the two clips that hold it to the body.

When I reinstalled the left light, the top corner is pushing out slightly, while the right side is perfectly flush like it was originally. I've tried various approaches: seating the top clip first, then the bottom; trying to push both in simultaneously – but nothing seems to get it to sit properly. The right side went back in without a hitch, so I'm not sure if I did something subtly different on the left or if there's a trick to it.

I did try searching the forum for posts about brake lights or bed stiffener installs, but the search results are currently coming up blank due to the recent site outage and ongoing search index rebuild.

I've also noticed the body paint around the light seems fairly thin and easy to scratch when removing the light (even with some cardboard behind it), so I'm really hoping to avoid pulling it on and off multiple extra times if I can.

Has anyone else experienced this when reinstalling their 4th Gen Tacoma brake lights? Any tips, tricks, or specific sequence recommendations for getting these clips to seat properly would be greatly appreciated! I'm hoping to avoid forcing it and potentially damaging something.

I've included a picture of the left light assembly that is sticking out for reference.

Thanks in advance for any help!

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[SAR Taco]

I also have bed stiffeners and had the same problem on the left brake light after taking it off to install reversing lights. I haven't really tried to fix it aside from replacing a broken clip, but that didn't work.

 

[vi4thgen]

I also have bed stiffeners and had the same problem on the left brake light after taking it off to install reversing lights. I haven't really tried to fix it aside from replacing a broken clip, but that didn't work.

Thanks for commenting! It's interesting (and a little bit validating!) to hear I'm not the only one who's run into this issue with the left brake light after installing the bed stiffeners.

I also checked my clips, and they all appear to be intact as well. Sounds like replacing a broken one didn't quite do the trick for you either, which is good to know.

I'll definitely update this thread once I find a solution or get it seated properly.

 

[Tacoyaki]

That's odd. I didn't remove the taillights when I installed my bed stiffeners. I'm horrible at getting things to fit back right after disassembling stuff. Hope you find the solution soon. I'll be watching this in case I ever need to R&R my taillights.

 

[Lando]

I don’t think the bed stiffeners have anything to do with it. It is something with the left taillight as mine sticks out a bit since new. The right side sits flush.

I’ve asked the dealer and they said they couldn’t get it to sit flush and would have to send it to their body shop. I have not done this as I’m afraid of them messing it up.

 

[Tacoyaki]

That's pretty sad their techs can't figure it out. What would they do if they needed to remove the light for some repair/service?
Is there a way to use color or something to check for clearance/interference when trying to install it straight in? Something is hitting and blocking.

 

[Franko Manini]

I installed the Rigid lights in the bumper of my Trailhunter. In so doing, I had to pull the left taillight to install a Specialty Performance Parts wiring harness. I didn't have any issues reinstalling the taillight. That being said, I need to pull it again as the new harness rattles a little so I need to secure it properly. If I have any issues I'll report back.

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